Gary L - positive

By Charlie Summerbell
August 4 2010

No new owners for Hartlepool United, and only one new player as they go into the new season with virtually the same squad that avoided relegation by a whisker in May. It all kicks off again at Rochdale on Saturday and while the noises coming from Victoria Park are positive, the signs suggest we could be in for nine months of pain.

Boss Chris Turner has signed defender Evan Horwood and reserve keeper Andy Rafferty, but says he really needed at least four newcomers for the first team.
He has also asked his forwards to be more clinical in front of goal after a pre-season of missed chances and poor results.
But arguably the most talented player in the squad, James Brown, says he is fit and raring to go and defender Gary Liddle says he is confident of a solid start for the team, despite the fact that he misses the start because he is suspended.
He says the squad is fully fit and new coach Mick Wadsworth has instilled in the players a new system which he hopes will bear fruit. It's not going to be easy, admits Liddle, but he is confident Pools can compete.
That would be a start, but with the proposed takeover for the club now apparently dead, it's about all we can hope for.
Rochdale were promoted last season and, with home advantage at the start, will be keen to get their new season in League One off to a winning start.
As Liddle had indicated, this game won't be easy, and nor will any others.The squad is good enough to do better than last season, but only if they all hit form together and play as a team.
Over to you, lads ...